Christmas day had finally arrived and with that family, food, presents and the Opening day of the 2011-2012 NBA season. For the Mavs this was their 31st season opener, but very unlike the previous 30. This particular season opener was accompanied by a banner raising…a championship banner raising. I’m man enough to admit that I did tear up. I have been waiting my whole life to witness such a site as a Dallas Mavericks championship banner being raised into the raters. That’s also why that “we are the champions” feel is going to take a lot more time to wear off. This one will feel good for a while, regardless of the current level of play. The banner itself kept people in the seats longer than they probably would have on any other night. The game was that ugly. [1]A motivated Heat team who in all likelihood had also been eagerly awaiting their first rematch against the Mavs appeared to be just that…Motivated and eager. To mix a hockey and a basketball term, they deked and dunked, killed the Mavs in the paint and out played them everywhere else. While there are many glaring weaknesses at the moment that the Mavs must address…most expected, and a few not so much. For me, well, let’s just say I’ll purposely let the start of this opening night erase my memory of what was to follow. So the Mavs start their defense of their title 0 for 1. Even in a shortened season, it’s a long season. One thing is for sure, with the shortened and condensed schedule we won’t have to wait long between games to see how this team takes form, or doesn’t. And as for what to do with this roster, past present and future, well, that’s an entire post of its own…I’ll save that one for another day.